The American Samoa National Olympic Committee (ASNOC) will be sending over a 100 athletes, coaches and referees as TEAM AMERICAN SAMOA to participate in the 2015 Pacific Games to be held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea this coming July, according to ASNOC media news.

Sports that are committed to participate include: Basketball (Men and Women teams), Bodybuilding, Boxing, Golf, Rugby, Softball (Men and Women teams), Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Weightlifting, Beach Volleyball and Indoor Volleyball (Men and Women teams).

The accreditation process is currently underway (where residency and immigration status is checked) and once completed, ASNOC will announce the final team roster. Cost for each person is approximately $2,000, which includes airfare, meals, accommodations, per diem, uniform and any entry permits that may be required.

According to the ASNOC, fundraising efforts continue for each Sport Federation, and these vary from car washes and walk-a-thons to food sales. ASNOC plans to raise additional funds with a Benefit Dinner on April 11, a Golf Tournament on May 16 and a Sale of Merchandise (t-shirts, hats, etc.) that will continue throughout the year.

Chef de Mission (Team Manager) will be Manu’a Chen, who will accompany the team and be responsible for the overall coordination of living quarters, accreditation, transportation, meals, and training schedules, and handle daily communication with the Papua New Guinea Organizing Committee.

The ASNOC also says that a public awareness campaign will include bi-weekly discussions with each sport via KVZK-Channel 2 as well as radio shows and Samoa News updates with athlete profiles. Once the team is finalized, visits to local schools are also on the agenda, including a public ‘Meet and Greet’ set for three weeks prior to departure date.

The ASNOC invites the public to support TEAM AMERICAN SAMOA as they prepare to be sport ambassadors for the territory. For further information, please contact the ASNOC Main Office at the Sports Complex (Veterans Stadium) at 699-8356, or email: asnoc@asnoc.org.